He was Fred Rogers before there was Fred Rogers.
At least in Philadelphia.
If you grew up in the Philly area in the '60s, the name Gene London was magic.
He hosted a show on WCAU (Channel 10) called "Cartoon Corners."
Gene London, whose real name was Eugene Norman Yulish, died Sunday in Reading. He was 88.
On his show, the mild-mannered, reserved London would dazzle kids as an artist and storyteller, using a sketch pad to illustrate his story as a region of wide-eyed kids looked on, mesmerized at the ease with which he composed his creations.
Just a few bars of that familiar theme song provided kids with a reassuring, calm vision. Every trip to "The Gene London Show" and his "General Store" provided kids with an important life lesson.
London proved the equal of other Philly children's TV icons such as Pixanne, Sally Starr, Captain Noah and Chief Halftown.
RIP, Gene London. You were a friend to Philly kids.
Comments